AARTO Demerits Hit South African Roads
South Africa launches a new demerit system starting December 1, 2025, nationwide under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act. Traffic fines will now carry points that may lead to license suspension.
How the System Works
- Check your demerit status at online.aarto.co.za.
- Pay fines within 32 days to receive discounts.
- Drive defensively to avoid accumulating points.
Implementation Timeline
The full demerit system with all penalties fully active begins in September 2026. The new system replaces criminal court prosecutions for minor traffic violations with an administrative process linking fines directly to license points.
Purpose and Background
The phased rollout aims to reduce reckless driving and decrease South Africa’s high road fatality rate, which currently exceeds 14,000 deaths annually. The system was piloted in Johannesburg and Tshwane since 2008, allowing refinement over time.
Human factors contribute to roughly 80% of crashes nationwide, prompting this overhaul to foster lasting behavioral change.
This reform requires all road users—whether commuting through urban areas or traveling on freeways—to understand the changes to avoid escalating penalties and improve road safety.
Stay Safe and Adapt
Mastering the new demerit system is essential to maintaining a clean driving record amid increasing accountability on South African roads.
Author's summary: South Africa’s AARTO demerit system launches nationwide in December 2025 to incentivize safer driving and reduce road fatalities through license point penalties linked to traffic fines.